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For the first time in its 118-year history, the ICA will be holding its Global Conference and General Assembly in Africa.
The theme of the conference is Co-operative Decade: Growing the Co-operative Movement, which takes place from 1-5 November at the Cape Town International Convention Centre in South Africa. The programme will be built around the Blueprint for a Co-operative Decade, which aims to take co-operatives to a position of being the preferred model and as a result the fastest-growing form of enterprise by 2020.
Delegates will also have the opportunity to meet with co-operative leaders from the co-op and mutual insurance sector during the ICMIF Biennial Conference from 6-8 November at the Westin Hotel Cape Town, which is in the same complex.
During the weekend a number statutory meetings of ICA bodies will take place, alongside a youth conference on 2 November. On Sunday, the global conference opens with a keynote speaker and breakout sessions, which leads to an evening reception and auction to benefit the Endowment Fund for Africa.
The General Assembly takes place on the Monday, with reports and debates from the previous day’s sessions. There will also be a full Board election and a number of ICA Statutes & By-laws changes for approval.
On Tuesday a number of sessions and a plenary will take place, which will be followed by the Celebration of Cooperation Dinner with the Rochdale Pioneers Award.
Throughout the week there will be an exhibition area showcasing books and co-operative goods and smaller networking receptions.
The summary programme, hotel information, tours, and frequently asked questions will be available on the conference website later this month: www.capetown2013.coop
